Fluid receptacle

ABSTRACT

A fluid receptacle formed of a bag having first and second sides, the bottom and lower outer edges of which are joined to provide a central pocket. The intermediate and upper outer edges of the first and second sides of the bag are provided with cooperating sealing elements by which the remaining outer edges of the bag may be sealed. The sealing elements are disengageable to permit the first and second sides of the bag to be laid open on opposite sides of the central pocket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to fluid receptacles. More specifically,the present invention pertains to fluid receptacles especially suitablefor draining and collecting used oil from automotive vehicles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

When oil or other fluids are changed in a motor vehicle, it is of coursefirst necessary to drain the fluid from the respective component of thevehicle. This is usually accomplished by removing a drain plug andallowing the fluid to drain therefrom. Typically, a pan or otherreceptacle is placed under the drain to receive the used fluid drainedtherefrom. In the past, the used fluid may have been carelessly handledand disposed of. In more recent years, the used fluids are collected andsometimes reconditioned. Due to increasing emphasis on environmentalcontrol and recycling of waste, such reconditioning and recycling of thefluids, particularly oil, will become even more prevalent.

Various types of receptacles have been especially designed in recentyears to collect and dispose of fluids drained from vehicles. U.S. Pat.No. Re. 27,449 discloses a rigid type container which is provided with afunnel section for receiving liquids drained from an engine. A dischargespout closed by a removable cap is provided for emptying the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,838 discloses a system which provides twocontainers, one for drained oil and one for new oil. The two containersare shaped and fitted with means for holding them together as acomposite package. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,431, a dual chamberedcontainer is disclosed, one chamber for receiving used engine oil as itis drained from the motor vehicle and another chamber for containing newoil. The chambers are somewhat nested or bonded together. In U.S. Pat.No. 4,856,652 a composite receptacle is described which includes acontainer to house and carry oil canisters and an oil filter. After theoil canisters and filters are removed, the container may he placed onits end to receive oil drained from a vehicle.

While recently developed fluid drain receptacles provide certainadvantages over previous methods of draining used fluids,, most of themare relatively bulky and not easy to store. In addition, they have atendency to be messy, unsightly and may easily contaminate other itemswith which they are stored. The fact that developments continue in thisarea indicates a need for more desirable designs.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a fluid receptacle which is formed of abag having first and second sides, the bottom and lower outer edges ofwhich are joined to provide a central pocket. The intermediate and upperouter edges of the first and second sides of the bag are provided withcooperating sealing elements by which the remaining outer edges of thebag may be sealed to provide a receptacle for transporting fluid drainedtherein. However, the sealing elements are disengageable to permit thefirst and second sides of the bag to be laid open on opposite sides ofthe central pocket.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the first and secondsides of the bag is provided with an inflatable and deflatable airpocket which, when inflated and when the first and second sides are laidopen on a horizontal surface, elevate the top of the first and secondsides so that any fluid draining onto the sides will gravitate towardthe central pocket. The central pocket may be provided with a drain holewhich is closed when receiving and transporting fluids therein but whichmay be open to allow draining of fluids from the central pocket.

When fluid is drained into the receptacle of the present invention froma vehicle, it is conveniently collected, sealed therein and easilytransported to a collection point. The drain in the central pocket maybe opened and the fluid drained therefrom. After fluids are drained fromthe receptacle of the present invention and when the air pockets, ifany, are deflated, the receptacle may be sealed and stored flat orfolded up in a very small space. Since it is sealed, no fluids willcontaminate any items with which it is stored.

The fluid receptacle of the present invention is extremely light,economically manufactured, easy to use and store and especiallyenvironmentally compatible. Many other objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from reading the description which follows inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an edge view of a fluid receptacle, in a closed position,according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the fluid receptacle of FIG. 1 shown in alaid open position, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is an edge view of a fluid receptacle, in the closed position,according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial illustration of the fluid receptacle of FIG. 3shown in a laid open position, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 is an edge view of the fluid receptacle of FIGS. 3 and 4 showingthe fluid receptacle in the laid open position of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a laid open plan view of the fluid receptacle of FIGS. 3, 4and 5 as viewed from above;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the fluid receptacle of FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 asviewed from below;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial illustration of the fluid receptacle of FIGS. 3-7,but in a deflated condition; and

FIG. 9 is an edge view of the fluid receptacle of FIGS. 3-7 in adeflated condition.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fluid receptacle R of the presentinvention is formed of a bag having first and second sides 1 and 2, thebottom 3 and lower outer edges 4 of which are joined to provide acentral pocket 5. The intermediate and upper outer edges of the firstand second sides 1 and 2 are provided with cooperating sealingengagement means such as zipper elements 7 and 8 by which the remainingouter edges of the bag of receptacle R may be sealed to provide areceptacle for transporting fluid therein. In fact, the zipper elements7 and 8 may also be provided across the tops of side 1 and 2 so thatwhen engaged all edges of the receptacle R are sealed. The sealingengagement elements 7 and 8 are disengageable to permit the first andsecond sides of the bag R to be laid open on opposite sides of thecentral pocket 5 as shown in FIG. 2. The receptacle R may be laid openas in FIG. 2 and placed under the drain of a vehicle to collect oildraining therefrom. After collecting the drained oil, the receptacle Rmay be closed or sealed, as shown in FIG. 1, and the oil transported toa collection point or other point for disposal thereof. Handles 9 and 10may be attached to the top of the first and second sides 1 and 2 forlifting and carrying the receptacle R and the contents thereof tovarious locations.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, another preferred embodiment of theinvention is shown, which, like the previous embodiment, provides a baglike receptacle R1 having first and second sides 11 and 13, the bottom13 and lower outer edges 14 of which are joined to provide a centralpocket 15. Like in the previous embodiment, cooperating sealingengagement means, such as zipper elements 17 and 18, are provided sothat the remaining outer edges of the bag (and the top edges if desired)may be sealed, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to provide a receptacle fortransporting fluid therein. The sealing elements 17,18 are disengageableto permit the first and second sides 11 and 12 to be laid open onopposite sides of the central pocket 15 as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 6,and 7.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-7, each of the first and second sides ofthe bag 11,12 are provided with inflatable and deflatable air pockets orchambers 21 and 22. These air pockets or chambers 21 and 22, preferablyon the outside of the bag or receptacle R1, generally conform to theshape of an inverted U, the bases 23,24 of which lie near the top of itsrespective side 11 or 12 and corresponding legs 25,27 and 26,28 of whichlie near the intermediate and upper outer edges of the respective sides11 and 12. Each of the air pockets 21,22 are provided with an air valve29,30 by which these pockets may be inflated or deflated. These valves29 and 30 may be similar to the valves of a beach ball, allowing thepockets 21 and 22 to be inflated by the user blowing air through hismouth into the valves 29 and 30 into the corresponding air pockets21,22.

The cross-sectional areas of the base portion of the air pockets isrelatively large. The cross-sectional areas of leg portions of the airpockets decrease from an area substantially the same as the baseportions 23 and 24 toward the central pocket so that the surfaces of thefirst and second sides 11 and 12 when laid open on a horizontal surface,are inclined downwardly, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, from the topsthereof toward the central pocket 14. Thus any fluids draining onto thesides 11 and 12 will gravitate toward the pocket 15. As best seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, the central pocket 15 may be provided with a drain hole35 which is closed when receiving and transporting fluid therein butwhich may be opened to allow draining of fluids from the central pocket15. As in the previous embodiment, handles 31 and 32 may be provided fortransporting the receptacle R1 and any contents therein from place toplace.

Typically, the receptacle R1 would be stored in an empty flat condition.FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the receptacle R1 in an empty, deflatedcondition, FIG. 8 illustrating the receptacle R1 open, and FIG. 9 thereceptacle R1 closed. Prior to use, the air pockets 21 and 22 would beinflated by introducing air through the air valves 29 and 30. Thesealing elements 17 and 18 would be disengaged allowing the sides of thebag 11, 12 to be laid open as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7. Thereceptacle R1 would be placed under a vehicle with the central pocket 15being substantially below the drain plug of the vehicle. The drain plugwould be removed and fluids drained into the pocket 15. If any fluiddrains onto the sides 11 and 12, it would gravitate along the inclinedsurfaces of the sides 11 and 12 toward the central pocket 15. Afterdraining is completed, the receptacle R1 would be removed from under thevehicle, the receptacle would be sealingly closed by engagement of thesealing elements 17 and 18 and the receptacle R1 and its fluid contentswould be carried by the handles 31 and 32 to a point of collection orother disposal. The drain hole 35 would be opened allowing fluids todrain therefrom. Then the drain hole would be closed and if desired, theair pockets 29 and 30 deflated. Any residual fluid would be sealedwithin the receptacle R1 for storage. The receptacle R1 would be storedin a flat position, such as FIG. 9, or folded as desired.

While the receptacle of the present invention is designed primarily toreceive and transport oil or other fluids drained from a vehicle, itcould have other uses. For example, a receptacle such as either thereceptacle R of FIGS. 1 and 2 or the receptacle R1 of FIGS. 3-7 could beused for marinating meats or other foods. For example, a whole brisketcould be placed in the receptacle R sealed therein and marinated. Itcould be turned occasionally so that all sides would be marinated. Thereceptacle could be used for transporting, storing or disposing of otherfoods. It could be used for disposing of trash or contaminatedsubstances. It could be used to collect chemical spills, to transportcontaminated items, to carry laboratory samples, etc. Of course, otheruses could be found for the receptacles R and R1.

The receptacle of the present invention has many desirablecharacteristics. It is made in one piece so that parts of it are notlost or misplaced. Punctures can be easily repaired with a patch kit.The receptacle does not have to be cleaned prior to storage. Due to thelow profile of the receptacle, a motor vehicle does not have to beelevated for a person to reach the drain plug.

Two embodiments of the invention have been described herein. However,many variations of the invention may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofthe invention be limited only by the claims which follow.

I claim:
 1. A fluid receptacle formed of a bag having first and secondsides each with an inner surface and bottom, top and outer edges, saidfirst and second sides being joined along said bottom edges and lowerportions of said outer edges to provide a central pocket on oppositesides of which intermediate and upper edges of said first and secondsides of said bag are unjoined, permitting portions of said first andsecond sides to be laid open, each of said first and second sides ofsaid bag being provided near said top edge thereof with an inflatableand deflatable air pocket which, when inflated and when said first andsecond sides are laid open on a horizontal surface, elevate said topedges of said first and second sides above said central pocket so thatany fluid draining onto said sides will gravitate toward said centralpocket.
 2. A fluid receptacle as set forth in claim 1 in which the airpockets provided with each of said first and second sides generallyconforms to an inverted U, the base of which lies near the top edge ofits respective side and corresponding legs of which lie near saidintermediate and upper outer edges of its respective side.
 3. A fluidreceptacle as set forth in claim 2 in which the cross-sectional area ofsaid legs of said air pockets decreases from said base toward saidcentral pocket so that the inner surfaces of said first and secondsides, when laid open on a horizontal surface, are inclined downwardlyfrom said top edges thereof toward said central pocket.
 4. A fluidreceptacle formed of a bag having first and second sides each with aninner surface and bottom, top and outer edges, said first and secondsides being joined along said bottom edges and lower portions of saidouter edges to provide a central pocket, intermediate and upper portionsof said outer edges being provided with cooperating sealing engagementmeans by which the intermediate and upper portions of said outer edgesof said bag are sealable to provide a receptacle for transporting fluidtherein, said sealing engagement means being disengageable to permitsaid first and second sides of said bag to be laid open on oppositesides of central pocket, each of said first and second sides of said bagbeing provided near said top edge thereof with an inflatable anddeflatable air pocket which, when inflated and when said first andsecond sides are laid open on a horizontal surface, elevate said topedges of said first and second sides above said central pocket so thatany fluid draining onto said sides will gravitate toward said centralpocket.
 5. A fluid receptacle as set forth in claim 4 including handlemeans attached to said top edges of said first and second sides and bywhich said receptacle and any contents thereof may be lifted.
 6. A fluidreceptacle as set forth in claim 4 in which said top edge of said firstand second sides are also provided with cooperating sealing engagementmeans which in cooperation with said sealing engagement means of saidintermediate and upper outer edges, when sealed, provide a totally andsealingly enclosed fluid receptacle.
 7. A fluid receptacle as set forthin claim 4 in which said air pockets provided with each of said firstand second sides generally conforms to an inverted U, the base of whichlies near said top edge of its respective side and corresponding legs ofwhich lie near said intermediate and upper outer edges of its respectiveside.
 8. A fluid receptacle as set forth in claim 7 in which thecross-sectional area of said legs of said air pockets decreases fromsaid base toward said central pocket so that the inner surfaces of saidfirst and second sides, when laid open on a horizontal surface, areinclined downwardly from said top edges thereof toward said centralpocket.
 9. A fluid receptacle as set forth in claim 4 in which saidcentral pocket is provided with a drain hole which may be closed whenreceiving and transporting fluids therein and which may be opened toallow draining of fluids from said central pocket.